Ministers, MPs and MLAs decide against quitting their posts as they feel staying put is crucial for defeating the resolution on bifurcation

Ministers, MLAs and MPs from the Seemandhra region have asked the Centre to withdraw its move to bifurcate the State as “nothing short of united Andhra Pradesh’’ was acceptable to them.

They wanted the party leadership to address the concerns and apprehensions being expressed in the region before going ahead with bifurcation.

At a hurriedly convened meeting in Hyderabad on Thursday, the elected representatives, however, resolved against submitting their resignations. They felt that staying in their posts was crucial for defeating the resolution on separate State as and when it comes up before the Assembly.

The meeting witnessed heated arguments. A section led by A. Krishnamohan, MLA, favoured en masse resignations from constitutional as well as party posts in support of a united State. The group of MLAs considered staunch supporters of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy opposed such action as it would tantamount to insulting the party leadership.

“We will stay within the party and fight till our concerns are addressed. There is no question of leaving the party. The meeting has resolved against resignation from the party,” Minister Kondru Murali told The Hindu.

The meeting, accordingly, authorised Mr. Reddy and AP Congress Committee president Botcha Satyanarayana to call on the party leadership in New Delhi and convey their concerns and resolutions.

“We have resolved to oppose the resolution irrespective of the conditions incorporated,” Minister S. Sailajanath said.

Tensions flare up

Tensions suddenly flared up in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions amid reports that the Central Cabinet would discuss and possibly approve in the evening a note on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Some regional television channels even showed copies of the purported note, said to run into 24 pages, prepared by the Union Home Ministry for the Cabinet's consideration at 6 pm on Thursday.

These reports caused surprise since Seemandhra leaders were expecting some forward movement only after the Antony Committee submitted its report on the concerns of people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema on the issue of partitioning. The Committee has not been able to complete its work due to the reported indisposition of Defence Minister A. K. Antony.

Thursday is the 66th day of the agitation in Seemandhra which has completely paralysed functioning of Government offices and grounded public transport.

As soon as the news spread about the Centre's move, Seemandhra agitators gheraoed the houses of Union Minister Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana and Members of Parliament like Lagadapati Rajagopal and dozens of other important Congress leaders across the region. However, there were no untoward incidents as police forces were present in large numbers.

The situation in Anantapur district turned volatile as thousands of people came on to the streets and blocked traffic on major thoroughfares in several towns. A few activists surrounded the house of Congress MP Ananta Vankatrami Reddy. A group of protestors laid siege to National Highway 44 passing through Anantapur town.

Meanwhile, Seemandhra Ministers, MPs and MLAs held an emergency meeting at the Ministers Quarters to take stock of the situation. Many of them favoured resignation from their posts but this plan was not approved by the group opposed to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's hard line stand against the Congress Working Committee's decision to divide the State.

Amid these deep differences, a group of three Ministers -- E. Pratap Reddy, T. G. Venkatesh and K. V. Krishna Reddy, drove to the residence of the Chief Minister to brief him about the deliberations. The Chief Minister cancelled his plan to visit the Secretariat and was closely monitoring the political developments from his house.

Why isn't some kind of voting across regions taken place?
Because people in Telangana would vote for a separate Telangana while the Rest of A.P would want a United Andhra.

from:
karthik

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 19:08 IST

Democracy is of the people, by the people and for the people.
Is there democracy in the country? Why isn't some kind of voting across regions taken place? When did this become congress's (just a political party) parties decision? Why isn't due process being followed? Why aren't the other states split?

from:
swamy

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 14:09 IST

Status of Bellary during 1950's from wikipedia "On 1 October 1953 AD, the Bellary district of Madras State was divided on a linguistic basis. Areas with a significant Kannada speaking population were transferred to Mysore state, which later became Karnataka state. Areas of the district with a significant Telugu speaking population were merged into the Anantapuram and Karnulu districts in what would later become Andhra Pradesh state. Bellary city itself, with large numbers of both Kannada and Telugu speakers, was included into Mysore state after protracted debate and controversy." Some source is better than no source.

from:
ranjith

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 11:32 IST

Only in India can a elected government can do whatever they want, regardless of whether people like it or not. As long as corrupt elements in Parliament can muster enough numbers they can do what they want. This situation should change. People should not vote for such looting parties. People of Andhra should unite and fight the UPA. Why are you allowing UPA to divide you? Can they do the same for Tamilnadu?

from:
Honga Singh

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 09:30 IST

From the 2009 December till CWC resolution
1. How many people of SeemaAndhra ask there leaders why do the Telangana people want to separate
2. Why did not they ask there leaders why is it in there election manifesto and why are they forming an alliance with TRS 3. Why did not they question YSR during the second phase of elections in 2009, when he openly supported TG in 1st phase and opposed it in second
4. Leaders talk about water wars, is the current distribution of water correct
5. some people say that TG was developed by nizams saying diamond related facts and maps of Telangana at different locations, if diamonds are so costly then how can they sell them in piles in Krishna deva raya's time
6. Right now Singareni is the second largest producer of coal which is being used by entire india which is used for power generation thorugh out
7. Can seemandhra politicians stay without position
I am not blaming the people here,but people being made fool from the leaders of both region,

from:
Rishi

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 01:43 IST

Seemandra people are worried about the Hyderabad. Now they have to move forward and digest this bifurcation as it is inevitable. By agitating seemandhra people will gain nothing try to resolve the issues by asking the packages to built new Capital.

from:
Sam

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 01:34 IST

Congress approach to entire issue is rather puzzling. On 30th July they could have announced CWC decision to media along with congress representatives from all the regions. This could have given confidence to people that no one would lose. This grand stand approach of congress is hurting relations between people.

from:
Prabhakar

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 00:19 IST

@ MURALI:
Till 2001 no student died?? Its not about the students death, its the pain about the farmers, pain about the justice not provided by the govt., its the pain about families whose members left to saudi, Dubai and returned in coffin. Its about the Nalgonda people who are fighting against fluoride from last 40yrs and the Govt., isn't providing a simple water filtration facilities, Its about the students who is learning false History, its about the people who face the discrimination about the accent and lots more. Better try to study the statistics of the people and their lifestyle and comment here.

from:
SHIVA TEJ

Posted on: Oct 4, 2013 at 00:14 IST

The protests against the bifurcation when stated as if the views and opinions of people from the Seemandhra region were not properly accounted and considered reads quite odd. Nobody, and absolutely nobody, can deny that the aspirations of the people of Telangana are legitimate and that the current state of affairs has not come about in any haste. The question, if this one can still be asked, is why is it that the people of Seemandhra are making such a concerted protest now, three years or more after Mr Chidambaram, when he was the Home Minister, first announced the intent to create a separate Telangana state.

Perhaps the good people of Seemandhra should reflect upon the the dichotomy of their attitude and behaviour; on the one hand they do not want Telangana to be separated, but on the other, nothing seems to stop them from escalating the price of land and real estate, ostensibly, for reasons of making a big fat profit when the state is formally bifurcated.

from:
Kay Nathan

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 21:50 IST

Under Article 3 irrespective of the state legislature opinion center can proceed with bifurcation. Are our elected representatives making us fools. Are they thinking people don't know about constitution?

from:
swaroop

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 19:52 IST

Ordinary citizens of AP should come forward and ensure that the congress party is buried forever like in Tamilnadu.

from:
Narayana

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:40 IST

I am from Vijayawada. However i support the separate Telangana movement as have seen the exploitation of the leaders of Andhra, Water wise, jobwise.

1. Waterwise : Most of the river flow of Godavari and Krishna is thru Telangana where as people are still thirsty in the region.Whereas the andhra region has excess water in such level that they use the river waters for irrigation. Hardly underground/bore water is used.

Question : When people in Telangana(Nalgonda Fluoride,mahbubnagar) are dieing of thirst. Cant some water be given to them? Each year Tonnes of water are released into the ocean from dhowleswaram barrage as it is excess. Why is that ?Why didnt the leaders from Andhra support any dams or bridges being built in Telangana ?

2. Jobs wise: Was shocked to learn that most(more than 80%) of the employees in Secretariat are from the Andhra Region . Why wasnt the 610 GO brought into effect , where in it was advised more than 10 years ago ? The private sector is no different.

from:
Pradeep

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:25 IST

What moral right does the congress government have to take such an important decision? This is nothing but an vote garneing move. Seek fresh mandate & then do as you wish...

from:
Raghu

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:25 IST

Seemandhra people should realize that their demand of united andhrapradesh is no longer a valid option,it was never samaikyandhra Pradesh when people of telangana doesn't want to stay that way,its high time for people to realize this and accept the fact and move on,no good can come of this agitation other than increasing hatred among already divided brothers!

from:
Nikhilesh Reddy

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:24 IST

Its clearly evident that N number of committees and court cases are still pending for Karnataka-TN and Karnataka-AP for Krishna, Kaveri and Godavari. How can there be no disputes if another state is formed? I have seen water wars between Karnataka and TN. Request congress to stop this divide and Rule policy. Also, Seemandhra people were always revenue generators in Hyderabad(along with others too) and nothing has gone from Hyderabad but much was brought into. Hyderabad's population exploded only with these emigrants. I was waiting for at least a single news item from The Hindu which i believed would be neutral. So, its giving a meaning that any protest should not be peaceful in order to expose the cause of protest. Its been 65 days and people started taking loans for livings but the national media has not yet captured any of it. Is it waiting for some sensations? All in all people from both the sides will loose and God Save India!!

from:
rupesh

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:17 IST

Why were Seemandhra and Rayalaseema folks quiet before the bifurcation was finalized? You should blame yourselves for the current state. Had you opposed the Telangana Movement from the start with the same vigour the current situation could have been avoided.

from:
Pawan

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 18:15 IST

UPA & the opposition have accepted for granting TELANGANA a separate statehood. So, the question of United A.P. doesnt arise at all. Its better if the money lords of Andhra stop creating unnecessary havoc in A.P. Telangana creation is a should & a must task to be executed for they have been held backwards by seemandhra people.

from:
VIPUL

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 17:53 IST

Development will never divide people, religion , caste etc., Here in Andhra Pradesh even divided only Govt employees and Political leaders will suffer but some development will happen in both region. Ordinary people are not bother about divisions. Other state people should understand that development should empower in every village and city not only in capitals. Then India will develop automatically.

from:
mohammad

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 17:28 IST

I always wonder... why always violence catches more attention. I appreciate the leaders who are taking forward this non-violence moment. lacs of people have scarified their regular income for a cause. do the government acknowledge this struggle properly. I doubt it. At least once, I hope government would appreciate people than politics. I fear these event escalate and become regular. We might need to see a day when seemandra totally burst out?

from:
Ravi

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 16:48 IST

The way the Law makers ordinance was withdrawn by the Cabinet, in the same way the bifurcation of the State may be stalled by the CWC, the highest authority, of,course with the consent of Rahul,
The protest by the elected representatives of Seemandhra do not stand valid and viable so long they continue in their posts. Just resign, be in the party and protest. If no positive action is in sight then resign from the party thus becoming martyrs.

from:
A S Satyanarayana

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 16:45 IST

It's not clear what Telangana people want. why they want to divide the state? Their leaders are saying that Seemandhra people will not face any issues with Water and Jobs. Committees and water boards will take care of those issues. Many times they claimed that they didn't get water and other things properly. In that case, why they didn't approach those committess, courts and etc., This is just a political game. Till 2001 no student got died. Only after TRS gets starting provoke the people. Many innocent students got died.

from:
murali

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 16:36 IST

Only BJP and Communist Parties have been maintaining a consistent stand on this issue. Other parties have been calibrating their stand dynamically depending on the situation. Even the decision of the Congress has been based purely on their electoral calculations. Once they have realized that their calculations are probably going awry, they are trying to somehow wriggle out of the situation. As they cannot take a U-turn, they may pretend to be sincere but see that the process get stalled somewhere along the way. By protracting the issue for so long, bitterness has crept in, which is not good for the peoples of the State. Unfortunately that is how political parties are operating, devoid of any principles or convictions.

from:
PVL Narasimham

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 16:29 IST

Seemaandhra People lost Ballari to Karnataka during the Formation of Andhra Pradesh. They accepted Hyderabad as Captial when Andhra Pradesh was formed. No When there is a division there will be division in all the aspects not only in aspect of state. No State in India is sub-
divided without consent of people from all the Regions. Why Central Government unable to divide UP even though division bill passed in Assembly, Why they didnt touch Tamilnadu which is the bigger state in terms of Number of seats for Parliament.

Congress Cant play with future of people Andhra Pradesh like this to make Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister. Concerns need to be addressed first and with all people co-operation only division should be done. There is no development done in Seemaandhra Region after Andhra Pradesh Formation. And it is no way a possible to create a Captial City in these regions as most of the lands are agricultural Lands.

If Center goes with Division Note they will face their ill-fate soon.

from:
Jayakiran

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 16:17 IST

Though a peaceful discussion in an amicable environment would solve the issue none of the leaders are ready to do it because everybody is craving for thier own political interests.The only person fighting for the cause selflessly is the common man whose voice is not heard in an attempt to make Rahul Gandhi PM.

from:
Sneha

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 15:58 IST

People of AP should understand the situation if they continued to disturb the government mechinary through agitation, bundh, protests, rallies and other means will cause huge impact of state overall growth and investors not showing much interst to invest in attractive destination of state. If union governemtn budge to seemandra people demand Telengana people starts agitation and seiage to Hyderbad city and will impact of grounding down of activities. Both side leaders should sit together and find an solution and have peacfull debate and discussion in their assembly urge government to call for special session exclusively for this to decide whether to divide or unit instead hampering overall growth and development of state by doing so and to check this they can have details from authoritative agency to check what the present position of state in the eyes of investoers and it growth during agitation or kind of situation existing in state.

from:
RAGHAVENDRA R PAWAR

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 15:06 IST

Congress screwed one more state and it will be wiped out of andhra pradesh forever. Who did they consult before taking this decision? Did they ever meet with any organisation to pacify them??? what did they do after sri krishna commission report??

from:
praneeth

Posted on: Oct 3, 2013 at 14:39 IST

I still cannot understand what seemandhra people want . All the issues concerning water ,jobs distribution etc will be discussed by Cabinet sub com mite If you are still not satisfied then you protest why now ?